To help oneself defuse the spiritualist hysteria around the iPhone 4 “ Antennagate , ” Apple herald that it would bring out full refunds for Bumper case to iPhone 4 owner andoffer a handful of third - company cases for destitute . Apple claims that less than one percentage of iPhone 4 owners have called AppleCare to sound off about antenna or reception issues , but that it nevertheless wants to make every undivided customer happy . On Friday , Apple uncover the loose typeface program to the public , so it ’s meter to do some interrogation surrounding how it puzzle out , who is eligible , and how you may get your cut of Apple ’s gratis Proto-Indo European .
When does the program start ?
On Thursday , Apple began e - mailing refund to customers who had buy iPhone 4 Bumpers from its online memory . On Friday morning , it also released the iPhone 4 Case Program , a detached iPhone app which allows iPhone 4 owners to place an order for a free sheath .
How long does the offer run ?
Apple is offer barren and refunded Bumpers , as well as devoid third - party face , to customer who purchase an iPhone 4 by September 30 . customer who grease one’s palms an iPhone 4 before Friday , July 23 have until August 22 to claim a case . New iPhone 4 emptor have 30 days from their escort of leverage to claim a free case , so the political platform basically consort through the final stage of October .
Can just anyone utilise for a spare case , or do I have to own an iPhone 4 ?
You must own an iPhone 4 to be eligible . Apple did argue at its closet conference that signal fading is by no means a problem exclusive to the iPhone 4 and even shew the issue on the iPhone 3GS alongside other smartphones from rival . But as the iPhone 4 ’s antenna is the subject of all the hubbub , it ’s model that Apple is offering costless cases for .
Is the programme available outside the US yet ?
judge by the Twitter replies from our international reader , it sounds like the iPhone 4 Case Program app is available in countries where the iPhone 4 is — France , Germany , United Kingdom , and Japan . This make sense , since Apple requires customers to execute the app from their iPhone 4 to aver that they specify for a free case .
Presumably , Apple will make iPhone 4 Case Program available in more countries as the iPhone 4 arrives . At its military press conference last week , Apple announced that theiPhone 4 would arrive in 17 more countriesin July : Australia , Austria , Belgium , Canada , Denmark , Finland , Hong Kong , Ireland , Italy , Luxembourg , Netherlands , Norway , New Zealand , Singapore , Spain , Sweden , and Switzerland . In August , 24 more nation should get the iPhone 4 , and 40 more should get it by September .
What cases are uncommitted ?
As of Friday morning , Apple is offering its own Black bumper ( no other colors are available , at least not yet ) , as well as the following third - company cases : the Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 in Smoke , the Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 in Clear , the Belkin Shield Micra for iPhone 4 in Clear , the Griffin Motif iPhone 4 ball field / Smoke , the Griffin Reveal Etch iPhone 4 – Black / Black Graphite , the Speck Fitted Case iPhone 4 – Black Tartan , and the Speck PixelSkin HD iPhone 4 – Black .
What if I do n’t like any of those cases ?
You might have an option — emphasis on “ might . ” Apple states that its batting order of gratuitous third - party subject is subject to variety at any time , so it might swap out different brands and cases during the course of instruction of the programme . There probably wo n’t be any monition , though , and transportation times are likely to only get prospicient than the current 3 to 5 week time lag . you could try play on broker like maker not being able-bodied to meet demand , but there is no guarantee that a make or eccentric you require will make the cut — or that Apple will swop things up at all .
How can I get my barren Bumper or third - political party case ?
The first time you ply iPhone 4 Case Program , it will enquire you to enter your iTunes Store score password , then jibe your machine ’s inner International Mobile Equipment Identity ( IMEI ) and consecutive numbers to aver that it is indeed an iPhone 4 . Then you ’ll be capable to proceed with the program and pick a case .
Once you choose a sheath , the app will avow that the name and home computer address on your iTunes Store explanation is correct , and you ’re done .
How shortly will I get my free case ?
“ devoid ” is most multitude ’s favourite flavor , and the rush is already on to claim legitimately detached case that usually costs upwards of $ 20 to $ 30 , or more . As of this writing , every case that Apple offer has a ship date of 3 - 5 weeks .
I already bought a Bumper from Apple . Can I get a repayment ?
Yes . If you bought your Bumper from the Apple Online Store , the company start automatically issuing refunds on Thursday . If you have n’t receive a refund yet , just waitress . The procedure is entirely automated , so there is no form to occupy out .
If you bought your Bumper in a retail store , just impart it back with the receipt by September 30 .
I bought my Bumper from AT&T. Am I out of chance ?
Not at all . Apple is also recoup customer who purchased iPhone 4 Bumpers from AT&T. Fill outthis rebate coupon(PDF link ) to claim your refund .
I bought a third - party case , am I eligible for a refund ?
regrettably , no . But the typesetter’s case you bought is probably a mighty fine shell , right ? Apple is only issuing refunds for its own Bumpers and it picked a handful of third - political party cases to commence offering for free .
Can I plunk out a Bumper or case in my local Apple retail store ?
At this other microscope stage of the program , it seem like Apple want to manage this computer programme entirely through its iPhone app . It makes no mention of being capable to grab a loose case in its shop , even if you ’re buying a raw iPhone 4 . This might be Apple ’s means of downplay abuse of the organization and ensuring that each iPhone 4 possessor get only one case .
Updated 9:22am PT to add a doubt about the political program ’s international accessibility
